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NEWS FILES
Marrakesh Art Fair 2011
22 September 2011
The international fair "Marrakech Art Fair" serves as a reference in the field of contemporary art. This unique event in Morocco is home to artists and galleries from around the...
Exploring Marrakech with a little help
22 August 2011
Tourists come to Marrakech and love to wander, get lost in the old streets of the medina and explore the souks. But to see the other sites in town,...
The Treasures of the Pearl of the South
11 August 2011
For nearly a millenium, Marrakech has been glowing. The daily activity and hustle and bustle make this city unique. People milling about the souks day after day. ...
Ben Youssef Medersa: A rare jewel in the medina
Online on 18 July 2011 | Tourism & culture, Venues
BEN YOUSSEF MEDERSA In the heart of the medina is an imposing building. From the outside, it may not look like much. But step inside and it’s another story. Built in 1570 during the Saadian dynasty, the Ben Youssef Medersa continues to attract curious admirers nearly 500 years after it was built. This Koranic school, that at one time welcomed up to 900 students, is a true architectural jewel in the Red City. Shall we stop by a for visit?
To the east of the mosque with the same name, around which the downtown was build, is the Medersa. Once you step inside, a feeling of tranquility takes over. Before you, a large marble pool in the heart of the long central courtyard. Around this courtyard, large walls where calligraphy and all kinds of mosaics blend together surround us. But not to worry, the size of the building doesn’t take away from its beauty.
Look up and take in all the beauty that surrounds you in this impressive space. Back in its day, the Ben Youssef Medersa was the biggest Koranic school, and welcomed students from around the world for more than four centuries.
More than 100 rooms were used by students in this building that spreads more than 1,500 m2. These rooms are open to the public with explanations about the lives of the students during this time posted on the walls.
A comparison is, for example, made between the room of a student from the country and that of a city-dweller. In fact, the Medersa welcomed students from all areas, anyone with a thirst for knowledge. They met there, exchanged ideas and shared thoughts in the large central courtyard or in the prayer room.
And aesthetic delights
The Medersa is built with materials traditionally used to construct Islamic architecture buildings: stucco, marble, mosaic and even cedarwood. The marble was imported from Carrare in Italy and the cedar from the Atlas Mountain was used for the domes and ceilings. Its unique beauty also has geometric patterns on the walls, floor to ceiling traditional mosaics that are found on several monuments throughout the city.
The pool with two bronze water jets represent the heart of this unique space. On the sides of the courtyard, two corridors are supported by large pillars on the interior of the building. Upstairs, a real labrynthe opens up before your eyes. Certain rooms provide a magnificent view of the central patio.
The entire site, restored 60 years ago now, hasn’t lost its beauty. The diversity of the materials, the decor and the layout of this place give visitors here a great show!
Today the Koranic school is one of the best known in the Maghreb. The result of a unique story and representative of Moroccan art at the time, it’s a rare jewel in the heart of the old city. In this place, hours pass by without realizing it, and for a few minutes, you may just find yourself feeling like students did here back in the day.
Text Elisa F.
Photo DR
Translation Mandy Sinclair
Published July 18, 2011
video
Majorelle Garden: A trip across the world
Online on 14 July 2011 | Updated 15 July 2011
Looking for something to do one afternoon, I headed over to one of the best-known spots in Marrakech: Majorelle Gardens. This unusual green space, created 80 years ago, is also the name of a painter. Passionnate about travelling, he came to Morocco and fell in love. ...
video
Queen for a day!
Online on 29 June 2011 | Updated 13 July 2011
Founded nearly a thousand years ago, Marrakech is known for its luxury riads and palaces. The medina filled with architectural jewels, remains of a unique history. While some of have been turned into hotels and guest houses over time, some have been restored to show t...
Seven Saints of Regraga: A history lesson
Online on 29 June 2011 | Updated 11 July 2011
It’s been about 300 years since Sultan Moulay Ismaïl de Marrakech came up with a way to deal with the growing influence of the seven saints of Regraga from the Essaouira region. Seven Saints were chosen, with only one thing in common: they’re all buried in the Red City...
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